Topics - verbal213

I am currently on wait lists on Washington and Lee, GWU, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Wash U and William and Mary. I am probably going to withdraw from Vandy and GW because I think I'm less likely to get in there and I didn't do their seperate financial aid stuff. Beyond that, I'm lost. I'm in w/ 10K per year at Iowa. Any advice?

With an addendum because early this morning I was arrested and cited for driving while intoxicated. I know that the general feeling of the addendum is to simply state the facts, but I feel that since this is a current thing, it would be a good idea to write a few sentences about how this is not indicative of my character in general and that I am going to deal with this in a responsible adult manner and handle the consequences. Does anyone have any thoughts? Also, I know that I f*cked up big time, I don't need anyone to tell me that. Is this the end of my pending apps or is there hope?

Yay, I submitted my last app this morning. (Duke - that optional essay took a while) Now I have nothing to do...except the dean's cert...and a few scholarship forms...and the the FAFSA...and Need Access...then choose a school...then I start school and it actually gets hard.

So, my last general LOR arrived today, and I had put for it to be sent to all but one of the schools to which I'm applying, but they've only sent it to 2 so far. Has anyone had this experience and if so do they not send them out all at once? However, Vandy requested my report today, and it has the 3 correct letters to be sent.

Has anyone applied to Vanderbilt yet? If so, are the supplementary forms for general merit scholarship forms, or are they some kind of specific scholarship. I haven't been able to find info about them on their website. I figure they're general, but if anyone knows, I'd appreciate it. Also, if you did answer the questions, how long were your answers? It appears they want about a paragraph, but who knows.

If my I am really pushing for a big reach, ie targeted LORs, etc, is binding ED a good idea? I can see the argument that it solidifies the school as your top choice, but also you'd possibly be held to a higher standard. Anyone have binding ED experience with this?

Two questions - has anyone applied to Notre Dame yet? It will let me, but they say they don't accept them until 10/1. I don't want to submit it and have LSAC send it early, or will they wait until the school accepts apps to transmit? Also, I got the fee reduction to $20, so I marked fee waiver on the cert letter and am planning to send money order for $20 with the fee waiver letter they sent me. Is that the best way to go about it?

Has anyone written the Duke optional academic essay? I'm planning on it, but am kind of stuck. They say that you could write about a current issue, but that seems too risky. Anyone have examples/ideas? thanks